#Order 8 Rule 9 CPC

The Supreme Court has ruled that permitting a defendant to file an inconsistent additional written statement after trial has begun amounts to an abuse of process under the CPC. This clarifies that once issues are framed and evidence is recorded, parties cannot pivot to mutually exclusive legal positions - safeguarding trial integrity and fairness for plaintiffs and courts alike.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court ruled that defendants may file additional written statements even after evidence closure under Order 8 Rule 9 CPC, but such filings cannot be used to retract prior admissions. The court emphasized that adopting another defendant’s plea binds the party to its factual assertions, reinforcing procedural discipline in civil disputes.